U.S. patent application number 11/321094 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-01 for method and system for control of a voice/data communications device using a radio frequency component.
Invention is credited to Donald Laliberte.
Application Number | 20060115057 11/321094 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46323506 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060115057 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Laliberte; Donald |
June 1, 2006 |
Method and system for control of a voice/data communications device
using a radio frequency component
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided to locate, route, and/or
otherwise process a radio frequency emergency communications signal
from a VoIP communication device equipped with a location
positioning system and an emergency communications computer
software product. The software identifies an emergency
communications address, activates the location positioning system,
and communicates location coordinates and other emergency
information to a reconfigurable digital converter and digital
channellizer processing office and/or to a voice/data
communications switch. The emergency communications address
includes a publicly registered emergency communications address
and/or a user-defined communications address.
Inventors: |
Laliberte; Donald;
(Lawrenceville, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAMBI FAIVRE WALTERS
PO BOX 5743
WILLIAMSBURG
VA
23188
US
|
Family ID: |
46323506 |
Appl. No.: |
11/321094 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10836741 |
Apr 30, 2004 |
|
|
|
11321094 |
Dec 29, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/37 ;
340/539.1; 340/539.13; 455/404.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 11/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/037 ;
455/404.1; 340/539.1; 340/539.13 |
International
Class: |
H04M 11/04 20060101
H04M011/04; G08B 1/08 20060101 G08B001/08 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising the following steps: receiving a
communications address from a voice-over internet protocol
communications device; associating the communications address with
a database of at least one emergency communications address to
determine if the communications address is an emergency
communications address; if the communications address is an
emergency communications address, then: using a positioning system
to determine the location co-ordinates of the voice-over internet
protocol communications device, associating the location
co-ordinates and an emergency communications profile with an
emergency communications signal of the voice-over internet protocol
communications device, the emergency communications profile
comprising (1) emergency data, (2) an emergency data communications
address for accessing the emergency data, and (3) at least one
emergency communications address, accessing the emergency data
communications address and associating the emergency data with the
emergency communications signal, communicating the emergency
communications signal via radio frequency to a smart antenna, the
smart antenna communicating with at least one communications
network.
2. The method of claim 1, the smart antenna coupled with a
reconfigurable digital converter and digital channellization
processing office, the office communicating the emergency
communications signal via digital broadband to the at least one
communications network.
3. The method of claim 2, the office further detecting, decoding,
and matching the location co-ordinates to a public safety access
provider for the emergency communications address.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of connecting the
emergency communications signal to the public safety answering
point of the emergency communications address comprises connecting
the emergency communications signal to an emergency telephonic
communications address of the public safety access provider.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of connecting the
emergency communications signal to the public safety access
provider of the emergency communications address comprises
connecting the emergency communications signal to an emergency
internet protocol communications address of the public safety
access provider.
6. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:
communicating the emergency communications signal to a voice/data
switch of a telecommunications network for communication to the
public safety access provider of the emergency communications
address.
7. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:
communicating the emergency communications signal to a voice/data
switch of a data network for communication to the public safety
access provider of the emergency communications address.
8. The method of claim 1, the at least one communications network
detecting, decoding, and matching the location co-ordinates to a
public safety access provider for the emergency communications
address
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of communicating the
emergency communications signal to at least one communications
network comprises communicating the emergency communications signal
to a telecommunications network and communicating the emergency
communications signal to a data network.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the voice-over
internet protocol device comprises a wireless communications
device, a voice-over internet protocol phone, a computer, a digital
music device, a digital recording device, a personal digital
assistant, an interactive television, and a digital signal
processor.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of accessing
the emergency data communications address and associating the
emergency data with the emergency communications signal comprises
accessing a remote database and associating the emergency data
stored on the remote database with the emergency communications
signal.
12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps
of: if the emergency data is stored in a remote database, then
associating the emergency communications signal with a
communications link to access and retrieve the emergency data,
accessing and retrieving the remotely stored emergency data and
associating the remotely stored emergency data with the emergency
communications signal.
13. The method of claim 2, the office further detecting, decoding,
and matching the location co-ordinates to the emergency
communications address, the emergency communications address
comprising a user-defined communications address for emergency
processing.
14. A communications system, comprising: an open air communications
device having a position locating system and an emergency
communications module stored in memory, the emergency
communications module accessing a database of at least one
emergency communications profile comprising (1) at least one
emergency communications address, (2) emergency data, and (3) an
emergency data communications address for accessing the emergency
data; and a communications interface having the means to
communicate an emergency communication signal between the
communications device and a communications network, wherein the
emergency communication signal comprises (1) at least one location
co-ordinate of the position locating system, (2) the emergency
communications address, (3) a communications signal, (4) the
emergency data, and (5) the emergency data communications address
for accessing the emergency data.
15. The communications system of claim 14, the communications
interface further having the means to communicate the emergency
communications signal via radio frequency to a smart antenna
coupled with a reconfigurable digital converter and digital
channellization processing office, the reconfigurable digital
converter and digital channellization processing office
communicating the emergency communications signal via digital
broadband to at least one communications network.
16. The communications system of claim 15, the reconfigurable
digital converter and digital channellization processing office
detecting, decoding, and matching the location co-ordinates to a
public safety access provider for the emergency communications
address.
17. The communications system of claim 16, the public safety access
provider of the emergency communications address comprising an
emergency telephonic communications address of the public safety
access provider and an emergency internet protocol communications
address of the public safety access provider.
18. A computer program product, comprising instructions for
performing the following steps: receiving a communications address
from a voice-over internet protocol communications device;
associating the communications address with a database of at least
one emergency communications address to determine if the
communications address is an emergency communications address; if
the communications address is an emergency communications address,
then: using a positioning system to determine the location
co-ordinates of the voice-over internet protocol communications
device, associating the location co-ordinates and an emergency
communications profile with an emergency communications signal of
the voice-over internet protocol communications device, the
emergency communications profile comprising (1) emergency data, (2)
an emergency data communications address for accessing the
emergency data, and (3) at least one emergency communications
address, accessing the emergency data communications address and
associating the emergency data with the emergency communications
signal, communicating the emergency communications signal via radio
frequency to a smart antenna, the smart antenna communicating with
at least one communications network.
19. The computer program product of claim 18, the instruction for
communicating the emergency communications signal via radio
frequency to a smart antenna further comprising instructions for
the smart antenna to communicate with a reconfigurable digital
converter and digital channellization processing office such that
the office communicates the emergency communications signal via
digital broadband to the at least one communications network.
20. The computer program product of claim 18, further comprising
instructions for: detecting, decoding, and matching the location
co-ordinates to a public safety access provider for the emergency
communications address; communicating the emergency communications
signal to an emergency communications address of the public safety
access provider, the emergency communications address comprising an
emergency telephonic communications address and an emergency
internet protocol communications address; and communicating an
emergency responder communications signal to a radio frequency
device, the radio frequency device communicating with the
reconfigurable digital converter and digital channellization
processing office.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of commonly
assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/836,741, filed on Apr.
30, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. BS 040021) and published as
Publication No. 2005/0243975 entitled "Method and system for
routing emergency communications." This application is incorporated
herein by this reference.
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its
figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The
copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by
anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but
otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The exemplary embodiments generally relate to telephony, and
more particularly, to systems and methods for using a radio
frequency component to communicate with and/or otherwise manage a
communications device.
[0004] Internet telephony, also referred to herein as Voice-Over
Internet Protocol (VoIP), Voice-Over Network (VoN), and/or Internet
Protocol Telephony (IP Telephony), is experiencing explosive growth
and marked improvements in reliability and sound quality. The
improved Internet telephony communications are, in large part, due
to upgrading the internet backbone with better switching fabrics,
such as Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), and also due to
implementation of new communications standards, such as standards
for transport protocols, directory services, and/or audio codec
format.
[0005] Along with these improvements come new challenges for the
industry. For example, a need exists for better, more efficient
emergency services in response to an emergency communication from
an Internet telephony communications device. When an individual
uses a conventional telephone to request an emergency service, such
as dialing 9-1-1 to connect with a Public Safety Answering Point
(PSAP), the telecommunications network uses network information
associated with the communication (e.g., Automatic Number
Identification (ANI), Automatic Location Identification (ALI),
enhanced 9-1-1 services, and so on) to route the emergency call to
a matched Public Safety Answering Point (also referred to herein as
an "emergency call center" or as PSAP). The emergency call center
then uses the network information and/or additional information
from a caller to dispatch one or more appropriate emergency service
providers. Typically, the emergency service provider is matched
with a geographic location, such as a billing address, of the
telephone used to dial an emergency phone number to request the
emergency service. However, when the caller uses a VoIP phone to
request the emergency service, problems exist with routing and with
dispatching appropriate emergency service providers. For example,
if the caller uses a wireless VoIP communications device, then the
wireless VoIP communications device may be used at different
geographic locations to make the request for the emergency service,
and consequently some network information, like the billing
address, is not reliable for routing and/or other processing of the
emergency service request to a nearby emergency service provider
that is equipped to respond to the emergency request.
[0006] The growing popularity of wireless VoIP communications
devices brings attention to the above emergency communication
problems and other urgent/high priority communication problems.
Accordingly, what are needed are methods and systems for locating,
routing, communicating with, and/or other processing of
communications from internet telephony communications devices.
Additionally, methods and systems that leverage the abilities of a
connected communications network are further needed for these types
of communications.
SUMMARY
[0007] The aforementioned problems, and other problems, are
reduced, according to exemplary embodiments, by methods, systems,
computer programs, and computer program products that utilize a
radio frequency component of a Voice-Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
communications device to communicate an emergency communications
signal over a telecommunications network and/or a data network to
an emergency communications address. In response to an emergency
communication originating from the VoIP communications device,
other exemplary embodiments utilize the radio frequency component
of the VoIP communications device to communicate with another
peripheral communications device in proximity to or in
communications with the VoIP communications device during or
subsequent to an emergency communications connection.
[0008] In some of the exemplary embodiments a calling party uses
the VoIP communications device to communicate a radio frequency
(RF) emergency communications signal to a smart antenna coupled a
Reconfigurable Digital Converter and Digital Channellizer Office
(RDC/DCO). The RDC/DCO receives the RF emergency communications
signal and converts the RF emergency communications signal up to a
broadband digital emergency communications signal and sets the
initial digital channellization from the RF emergency
communications channel(s) used by different technologies.
Thereafter, the RDC/DCO communicates the emergency communications
signal to a voice/data switch communicating with a
telecommunications network and/or a data network to an emergency
communications address, or alternatively, to a public safety
answering point (PSAP) associated with the emergency communications
signal (e.g., a 911 call for help). The telecommunications network
and/or the data network detects, decodes, and/or connects the
emergency communications signal to the emergency communications
address or to an associated PSAP (or other associated emergency
response center) and establishes a communications link. A responder
communications device of the emergency communications address may
detect and decode the emergency communications signal to obtain an
emergency address of the VoIP communications device, one or more
location co-ordinates or other means of determining a location of
the VoIP communications device, and/or an emergency data
communications address (if available). For example, the emergency
address may include an identifier of the VoIP communications device
such as a serial number, a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a
communications node (e.g., the RDC/DCO (and, if available, the RF
frequency and channel of the VoIP device), the voice/data switch,
and others), a subscriber identification module (SIM) card, and/or
an identifier of a user using the VoIP phone.
[0009] According to exemplary embodiments, a method of processing
an RF emergency communication includes detecting a communications
signal to an emergency communications address. The method continues
if the communications signal is an emergency communications address
and includes using a positioning system to determine the location
co-ordinates (or other location means) of the VoIP communications
device, associating the location co-ordinates and an emergency
communications address with an emergency communications signal,
accessing emergency data and associating the emergency data with
the emergency communication signal, communicating the emergency
communications signal to a communications network, and/or
connecting the emergency communications signal to a public safety
answering point associated with the emergency communications
address. When a communications address is detected from the VoIP
communications device, the communications address is associated
with a database of emergency communications addresses to determine
if the communications address is an emergency communications
address. The emergency communications address may be a
communications address associated with a "911" service, a phone
number for a police department, a phone number for a fire station,
and other emergency service providers. Alternatively, the user may
select other communications addresses to identify as an emergency
communications address, such as a phone number to a doctor's
office, an Internet Protocol based communications address of a
doctor's office, a communications address to a pharmacy, and
others. If the communications address matches an emergency
communications address, then location co-ordinates (e.g., latitude,
longitude) of the VoIP communications device are determined using a
positioning system of the VoIP communications device. The location
co-ordinates and an emergency communications address are associated
with the emergency communications signal and the emergency
communications signal is communicated to a network. The network may
detect, decode, and process the emergency communications address of
the emergency communications signal to access an emergency
communications profile. The emergency communications profile may
include emergency data, an emergency data communications address
for accessing the emergency data, and/or one or more emergency
communications addresses. The emergency data communications address
is accessed to retrieve associated emergency data to communicate
with the emergency communications signal. The emergency
communications signal may be communicated from the VoIP
communications device, a smart antenna at the RDC/DCO, and an
associated communications network to another communications network
processing the emergency communications signal to the emergency
communications address. The RDC/DCO or the associated
communications network detects, decodes, and matches the location
coordinates of the emergency communications signal to a public
safety answering point (PSAP) associated with the emergency
communications address and connects the emergency communications
signal to the PSAP. If the emergency communications address is a
user-defined communications address (i.e., the emergency
communications address is not a communications address processed to
determine the PSAP), then the communications network may not have
to match the location coordinates to select a public safety
answering point. Rather, the communications network would detect
and decode the emergency communications signal and forward the
emergency communications signal to the emergency communications
address detected from the VoIP communications device.
[0010] In further embodiments, the method includes communicating
the emergency communications signal to the PSAP via a
telecommunications network, a data network, the RDC/DCO, and/or a
remote server/database. For example, the associated emergency
information (also referred to herein as "emergency data" may be
stored on the remote server/database. Furthermore, when the
emergency data is remotely stored, the emergency communications
signal including the location coordinates, a linked communications
address for accessing the associated emergency data, and the voice
communication may be communicated from the VoIP communications
device to a telecommunications network for processing to the PSAP.
Alternatively, the associated communications network may process
the emergency communications address to access the emergency
communications profile and associate the linked communications
address for accessing the associated emergency data. Thereafter,
the remote, associated emergency data may be accessed over the
linked communications address to the remote server/database, or
alternatively, to the data network or the telecommunications
network. Still other embodiments include the above method with
alternate communications devices (i.e., communications devices
other than a VoIP phone), such as, for example, a personal
computer, a laptop, a pager, a personal digital assistant, a
musical recording device, a digital signal processor, and an
Interactive television.
[0011] According to some of the exemplary embodiments, an emergency
communications system includes a communications device with a
position locating system and with an emergency communications
module stored in memory and includes a communications interface for
supporting wired, optical, and wireless communications including
radio frequency communications to/from a data network and/or a
telecommunications network. The emergency communications module
includes a computer program product that accesses an emergency
communications profile of one or more emergency service
communications addresses, an emergency communications address,
emergency data, and/or one or more emergency data communications
address (i.e., linked communications addresses) for accessing the
emergency data. The communications interface communicates an
emergency communications signal to a communications processing
office (e.g., RDC/DCO, mobiles switching telephone office (MTSO))
and/or one or more communications networks (e.g., data network,
telecommunications network, and others) to connect with the
emergency communications address, or alternatively, to connect with
a PSAP associated by the location coordinates and/or the emergency
communications address. The emergency communications signal
includes the location co-ordinates, one or more emergency service
communications addresses, a communications signal, the emergency
data, and one or more emergency data communications addresses for
accessing the emergency data. In further embodiments, the system
includes a communications network that analyzes the emergency
communications signal to select a PSAP, and thereafter,
communicates the emergency communications signal to the selected
PSAP.
[0012] According to additional exemplary embodiments, a computer
program product includes a computer-readable medium and an
emergency communications module stored on the computer readable
medium. The emergency communications module detects an emergency
communications address, activates a positioning system to determine
location co-ordinates (or other means to determine location of the
VoIP device), and associates the location co-ordinates with an
emergency communication signal. In further embodiments, the
emergency communications module may also associate the emergency
communications signal with an emergency communications profile
stored in memory of the VoIP communications device. Still other
exemplary embodiments provide that the emergency communications
module initiate communication of the radio frequency emergency
communication signal to the RDC/CDO. In still further embodiments,
the emergency communications module initiates communication of an
emergency communications signal to a communications network.
Similar to the above embodiments, the emergency communications
profile may include emergency data, one or more emergency data
communications addresses, and one or more emergency communications
address. According to various embodiments, the computer-readable
medium may be stored in a VoIP communications device, a personal
computer system, a communications network, an alternate
communications device, and/or a remote data server.
[0013] Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products
according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with
skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, and/or computer program products be included within this
description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be
protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The above and other embodiments, objects, uses, advantages,
and novel features of this invention are more clearly understood by
reference to the following description taken in connection with the
accompanying figures, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an operating system
according to exemplary embodiments;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an operating environment for providing
communications over one or more communications networks according
to exemplary embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates another operating environment for
providing communications over one or more communications networks
according to exemplary embodiments;
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates yet another operating environment for
providing communications over one or more communications networks
according to exemplary embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 5 further illustrates yet another operating environment
for providing communications over one or more communications
networks according to exemplary embodiments;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing
communications according to exemplary embodiments; and
[0021] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another method for
providing communications according to exemplary embodiments.
DESCRIPTION
[0022] The exemplary embodiments now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The reader
should recognize, however, that the exemplary embodiments may be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as
limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These exemplary
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough
and complete and will fully convey the scope of the exemplary
embodiments. Moreover, all statements herein reciting exemplary
embodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to
encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof.
Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both
currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the
future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same
function, regardless of structure).
[0023] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of
ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics,
illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes
illustrating systems and methods of the exemplary embodiments. The
functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be
provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware
capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches
shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be
carried out through the operation of program logic, through
dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and
dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being
selectable by the entity implementing the exemplary embodiments.
Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the
exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating
systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus,
are not intended to be limited to any particular named
manufacturer.
[0024] The exemplary embodiments describe methods, systems, and
devices for locating, routing, and/or otherwise utilize a radio
frequency component of a Voice-Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
communications device to communicate a communications signal, such
as an emergency communication signal, over a telecommunications
network and/or a data network to a communications address, such as
an emergency communications address. While the description below is
directed to emergency communications, it should be appreciated that
the invention may also be applicable for other types of high
priority and/or urgent communications. The term "emergency" is used
below for ease of explanation. According to exemplary embodiments,
in response to an emergency communication originating from the VoIP
communications device, other exemplary embodiments utilize the
radio frequency component of the VoIP communications device to
communicate with another peripheral communications device in
proximity to or in communications with the VoIP communications
device during or subsequent to an emergency communications
connection.
[0025] The VoIP communications device is equipped with a location
positioning system and an emergency communications module. The
emergency communications module detects and compares an outgoing
communications address (e.g., a call to a called telephone number,
a communication (voice and/or data) to an electronic communications
address such as, for example, an IP address, a URL address, or an
email address, a radio frequency transmission to a communications
channel, etc.) with one or more emergency communications addresses
(e.g., "9-1-1," a user-identified emergency communications address,
such as a telephone number or an electronic communications address
associated with a medical care provider, and so on) stored in an
emergency communications profile to determine if the communications
address matches an emergency communications address. If the
communications address matches an emergency communications address,
then the emergency communication module activates the positioning
system to determine the location co-ordinates and to associate
these co-ordinates and other emergency information (e.g.,
associated emergency data such as medical data, identification of
an owner or user of the VoIP communications device, a visual image
captured by the VoIP communications device, and the voice/data
communications signal for communication between the user of the
VoIP device and a party at the emergency communications address)
with an emergency communications signal.
[0026] In some of the exemplary embodiments, a calling party uses
the VoIP communications device to communicate a radio frequency
(RF) emergency communications signal to a smart antenna coupled to
a Reconfigurable Digital Converter and Digital Channellizer Office
(RDC/DCO). The RDC/DCO receives the RF emergency communications
signal and converts the RF emergency communications signal up to a
broadband digital emergency communications signal and sets the
initial digital channellization from the RF emergency
communications channel(s) used by different technologies.
Thereafter, the RDC/DCO communicates the emergency communications
signal to a voice/data switch communicating with a
telecommunications network and/or a data network to an emergency
communications address, or alternatively, to a public safety
answering point (PSAP) associated with the emergency communications
signal (e.g., a 911 call for help). The telecommunications network
and/or the data network detects, decodes, and/or connects the
emergency communications signal to the emergency communications
address or to an associated PSAP (or other associated emergency
response center) and establishes a communications link. A responder
communications device of the emergency communications address may
detect and decode the emergency communications signal to obtain an
emergency address of the VoIP communications device, one or more
location co-ordinates or other means of determining a location of
the VoIP communications device, and/or an emergency data
communications address (if available). For example, the emergency
address may include an identifier of the VoIP communications device
such as a serial number, a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a
communications node (e.g., the RDC/DCO (and, if available, the RF
frequency and channel of the VoIP device), the voice/data switch,
and others), a subscriber identification module (SIM) card, and/or
an identifier of a user using the VoIP phone.
[0027] And, in other exemplary embodiments, the emergency
communications signal is communicated with a communications network
for routing and otherwise for processing to the emergency
communications address, or alternatively, to a PSAP associated with
the emergency communications signal. According to some of the
exemplary embodiments, the emergency communications signal may be
communicated to a telecommunications network that detects and
decodes the emergency communications signal to access and to
analyze the location co-ordinates with a database of one or more
emergency service providers (e.g., a call center of a PSAP that
dispatches and/or consults with police, fire, medical, and other
emergency response personnel that provide emergency services for a
geographic service area) to route the emergency communications
signal. Alternate exemplary embodiments allow the user to program
an emergency communications address that is not
registered/identified for emergency assistance by the Federal
Communications Commission. For example, the user may select a phone
number to his/her doctor's office as an emergency communications
address. According to further exemplary embodiments, the emergency
communications signal may include emergency data (and/or a
communications link to emergency data) so that a party receiving
the routed emergency communications signal (e.g., a call center of
the PSAP) can use and/or access the emergency data and communicate
the emergency data to personnel responding to the emergency (e.g.,
the emergency service provider, a nurse at a called doctor's
office, and others).
[0028] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an
operating system according to exemplary embodiments. FIG. 1 is a
block diagram showing the emergency communications module 110
residing in a computer system shown as VoIP communications device
100. As FIG. 1 shows, the emergency communications module 110
operates within a system memory device. The emergency
communications module 110, for example, is shown residing in a
memory subsystem 114. The emergency communications module 110,
however, could also reside in flash memory (not shown) or a
peripheral storage device 116. The VoIP communications device 100
also has one or more central processors 102 executing an operating
system. The operating system, as is well known in the art, has a
set of instructions that control the internal functions of the VoIP
communications device 100. A communications interface 104
communicates signals, such as an emergency communications signal
(including an RF emergency communications signal) (shown in as
reference number 242 in FIGS. 2-5), data signals, control signals,
and address signals, between the central processor 102 and a system
controller 108 (typically called a "Northbridge"). Additionally,
the communications interface 104 has a means to communicate a
communications signal (such an emergency communications signal
shown as reference numeral 242 in FIGS. 2-5) between the VoIP
communications device 100, a communications processing office (such
as RDC/DCO shown as reference number 410 in FIGS. 4 and 5), and/or
a communications network (such as a data network shown as reference
number 210 in FIGS. 2-5 and a telecommunications network shown as
reference number 220 in FIGS. 2-5).
[0029] The system controller 108 provides a bridging function
between the one or more central processors 102, a graphics
subsystem 106, a keyboard subsystem 136, an audio subsystem 112,
the memory subsystem 114, a PCI (Peripheral Controller Interface)
bus 142, and a Communications ("Comm") Device Interface 150. The
PCI bus 142 is controlled by a Peripheral Bus Controller 124. The
Peripheral Bus Controller 124 (typically called a "Southbridge") is
an integrated circuit that serves as an input/output hub for a
location positioning system shown as a satellite Global Positioning
System (GPS) 120 and for various peripheral ports and/or
transceivers. Further, a Communications ("Comm") Device Interface
150 enables communications to/from any air-interfaces (or called
radio transmission technologies) via a time-division multiple
access (TDMA) engine 157, a code-division multiple access (CDMA)
engine 158, and a frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) engine
159. Further, a digital converter and digital channellizer 154 and
a hardware defined radio (HDR) RF/IF radio and smart antenna 152
operate with the Comm Device Interface and engines 157, 158, and
159 to support a variety of wireless standards. The HDR RF/IF radio
is of open standard and may include either an RF/IF mixed radio, or
alternatively, just an RF single radio where IF is not necessary
with certain new technologies (i.e., superconductivity). The smart
antenna provides the enhanced performance and capacity by using
advanced antenna technologies, such as, for example, antenna
digital beam-forming (DBF), MIMO (multiple-in, multiple-out),
space-time coding, diversity, calibration, and others. Further, the
smart antenna may operate in the shared spectrum management and
dynamic frequency allocation. The digital converter and digital
channellizer 152 includes a reconfigurable broadband digital
up-converter and digital down-converter to/from the frontend RF
radio or RF/IF radio, and the initial digital channellization
from/to the original radio frequency channels by different
technologies. The processing engines 157, 158, and 159 process
common radio transmission technologies (or called air-interfaces)
of TDMA (time division multiple access, CDMA (code division
multiple access) and FDMA (frequency division multiple access), as
well as the user-defined air-interfaces. If the reader desires a
more detailed explanation of open air operating system, the reader
is directed to the following source: U.S. Patent Application No.
1005/025-468 to Lu et al. (Nov. 10, 2005).
[0030] These peripheral ports 126, 128, engines 157, 158, 159, HDR
RE/RF and smart antenna 154, and digital converter and digital
channellizer 152 operate with the Comm Device Interface 150 to
enable the VoIP communications device 100 to communicate with a
variety of devices through networking ports (such as SCSI or
Ethernet) and/or transceivers that include Wireless Communications
("Comm") Device Transceiver 126 (for communication of any frequency
signal in the electromagnetic spectrum, such as, for example,
Wireless 802.11 and Infrared) and Wired Communications ("Comm")
Device Port/Connection 128 (such as modem V90+ and compact flash
slots). These peripheral ports could also include other networking
ports, such as, a serial port (not shown) and/or a parallel port
(not shown). The Comm Device Interface 150 allows the VoIP
communications device 100 to monitor, detect, receive, and decode
incoming communications signals to the communications device(s)
connected to the Wireless Comm Device Transceiver 126 and/or the
Wired Comm Device Port/Connection 128. Further, the Comm Device
Interface 150 transmits a communications signal (such as emergency
communications signal 242 of FIGS. 2-5) to the Wireless Comm Device
Transceiver 126 and/or the Wired Comm Device Port/Connection 128.
Still further, the VoIP communications device 100 may include a
power source 160, such as a rechargeable battery to provide power
and allow the VoIP communications device 100 to be portable. In
alternate embodiments, the location position system may be an
alternative position locating system known by those of ordinary
skill in the art. Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art
understand that the program, processes, methods, and systems
described in this patent are not limited to any particular computer
system or computer hardware.
[0031] The central processor 102 may be implemented with a
microprocessor understood to those skilled in the art. Advanced
Micro Devices, Inc., for example, manufactures a full line of
ATHLON.TM. microprocessors (ATHLON.TM. is a trademark of Advanced
Micro Devices, Inc., One AMD Place, P.O. Box 3453, Sunnyvale,
Calif. 94088-3453, 408.732.2400, 800.538.8450, www.amd.com). The
Intel Corporation also manufactures a family of X86 and P86
microprocessors (Intel Corporation, 2200 Mission College Blvd.,
Santa Clara, Calif. 95052-8119, 408.765.8080, www.intel.com). Other
manufacturers also offer microprocessors. Such other manufacturers
include Motorola, Inc. (1303 East Algonquin Road, P.O. Box A3309
Schaumburg, Ill. 60196, www.Motorola.com), International Business
Machines Corp. (New Orchard Road, Armonk, N.Y. 10504, (914)
499-1900, www.ibm.com), and Transmeta Corp. (3940 Freedom Circle,
Santa Clara, Calif. 95054, www.transmeta.com). Those skilled in the
art further understand that the program, processes, methods, and
systems described in this patent are not limited to any particular
manufacturer's central processor.
[0032] The operating system may be a UNIX.RTM. operating system
(UNIX.RTM. is a registered trademark of the Open Source Group,
www.opensource.org). Other UNIX-based operating systems, however,
are also suitable, such as LINUX.RTM. or a RED HAT.RTM. LINUX-based
system (LINUX.RTM. is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds, and
RED HAT.RTM. is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc., Research
Triangle Park, N.C., 1-888-733-4281, www.redhat.com). Other
operating systems, however, are also suitable. Such other operating
systems would include a WINDOWS-based operating system
(WINDOWS.RTM. is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation,
One Microsoft Way, Redmond Wash. 98052-6399, 425.882.8080,
www.Microsoft.com) and Mac.RTM. OS (Mac.RTM. is a registered
trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino,
Calif. 95014, 408.996.1010, www.apple.com). Those of ordinary skill
in the art again understand that the program, processes, methods,
and systems described in this patent are not limited to any
particular operating system.
[0033] The system memory device (shown as memory subsystem 114
and/or peripheral storage device 116) may also contain an
application program. The application program cooperates with the
operating system and with a display unit to provide a Graphical
User Interface (GUI). The Graphical User Interface typically allows
a user to input a combination of signals (such as signals
communicated from the audio subsystem 112, graphics subsystem 106,
and/or keyboard subsystem 136 and/or alternative input devices).
The Graphical User Interface provides a convenient visual and/or
audible interface with the user of the VoIP communications device
100.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, an emergency communications system 200
includes the VoIP communications device, such as the device 100
shown in FIG. 1, operating in a wireless mode. In this exemplary
implementation, the emergency communications module 110 resides in
the database 116 with emergency data 226. An emergency
communications signal 242 is communicated to and from the device
100 via a voice/data communications switch 240. The emergency
communications signal 242 is also communicated to a data
communications network 210 including a database 215 with emergency
data 226, a remote server 230 including the emergency
communications module 110 and a database 235 with emergency data
226, a telecommunications network 220 having a server/database 225
with emergency service tandem data 228, and an emergency
communications address shown as a call center for PSAP 250 (also
referred to as "PSAP"). According to exemplary embodiments, the
emergency communications module 110 analyzes an outgoing
communications addresses (e.g., a dialed phone number, an IP
address, an email address, and other communications addresses) of
the VoIP communications device 100 to determine if the outgoing
communications address is an emergency communications address, that
is, a communications address for requesting an emergency service.
For example, if a user of the VoIP communications device 100 dials
"9-1-1" from keyboard subsystem 136, then the emergency
communications module 110 would detect the outgoing communications
address and compare the outgoing communications address with a
database of emergency communication addresses for a match. In this
case, the communications address "9-1-1" matches an emergency
communications address of "9-1-1" used as a standard national phone
number for emergency services. However, according to further
embodiments of this invention, the user may identify other
emergency communications addresses, such as, for example a
physician's phone number, a police department's phone number, an
emergency Internet Protocol web address, and/or another
communications address entered by the user into the emergency
communications module 110. Once the emergency communications
address is identified, the emergency communications module 110
associates an emergency communications profile and activates the
GPS 120 to determine location co-ordinates of the VoIP
communications device 100. Alternate exemplary embodiments activate
other means to determine near real-time location co-ordinates of
the VoIP communications device 100, such as, for example, assisted
GPS (AGPS) also known as "base station triangulation" which relies
on measurements of time differences across wireless networks or
Bluetooth short range tracking systems. The emergency
communications profile may include the matched emergency
communications address, associated emergency communications
addresses (e.g., if "9-1-1" is matched, then also associate Dr.
Smith's communications address to communicate the emergency
communications signal), emergency data (e.g., medical information,
personal information, and other information), and/or a
communications link for accessing remotely stored emergency data
(e.g., an emergency data communications address of a remote
database). The emergency communications module 110 associates and
analyzes the location co-ordinates and the emergency communications
profile to generate an emergency communications signal 242 that
includes the communications signal (e.g., the voice and/or data
signal), the emergency communications address(es), the location
co-ordinates, the emergency data, and/or the communications link to
the remotely stored emergency data (also referred to as the
"emergency data communications address"). Thereafter, the emergency
communications signal 242 is communicated to the communications
switch 240 for routing to the telecommunications network 220 and/or
to the data communications network 210 that analyzes the emergency
communications signal 242 for routing and/or further processing.
For example, if the telecommunications network 220 detects an
emergency communications address of "9-1-1-," then the
telecommunications network 220 matches the location co-ordinates of
the emergency communications signal 242 with the database 225 of
emergency services tandems to select a PSAP 250 and connects the
emergency communications signal with the selected PSAP 250. "9-1-1"
and enhanced "9-1-1" services including selection of the PSAP are
well known in the art, and therefore, will not be further
explained. If, however, the telecommunications network 220 detects
a user-defined, non-registered emergency communications address
(i.e., a communications address not associated with a national,
state, local, or other governmental identified emergency
communications address for emergency services), then the
telecommunications network 220 processes the emergency
communication signal for communication with the emergency
communications address. The communications switch 240 may include
Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) componentry controlling many
features of the communications with the telecommunications network
220. In addition, the communications switch 240 may include a
packet-based "softswitch" that uses software control to provide
voice, data, and video services by dynamically changing its
connection data rates and protocols types. In this case, an
application server (not shown) interfaces with the softswitch via a
packet protocol, such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The
signaling between the voice/data switch 240, the telecommunications
network 220, and/or the data network 210, however, is well
understood in the art and will not be further described.
[0035] When establishing the emergency communications profile for
each emergency communications address, the user may interact with a
GUI of the emergency communications module 110 to input and/or to
select the emergency communications address (e.g., to input a
doctor's phone number to define as an emergency communications
address), emergency data, and an associated emergency data
communications address to communicate with the emergency
communications signal. Alternatively, the emergency communications
profile may contain default parameters, such as a database of
registered national, state, local, and/or other governmental
emergency communications addresses, emergency data related to an
owner of the VoIP communications device 100 such as a home address,
name, and financial information, and emergency data communications
address associated with a history of communications links matching
key words such as "doctor," "medical," "emergency contact," and
others. The emergency data may include any information that the
user inputs and/or selects to communicate with the emergency
communications signal, and may include such data as a phone number
for an emergency contact, name of user, name of owner, addresses,
medical information and instructions such as known allergies and
current medications, legal information (e.g., instructions to not
resuscitate), security information such as user identifications and
passwords, and other emergency information. The emergency data may
include audio files, pictures, charts, data files, or any other
electronic data that augments, explains, and/or accompanies the
emergency communication (e.g., a telephone conversation of the
emergency communications signal). For example, as the user and the
party (i.e., the party answering the incoming emergency
communications signal 242) converse via the telephone connection,
the party may simultaneously view or listen to this emergency
data.
[0036] When the telecommunications network 220 detects the
emergency communications signal 242 and decodes it to identify the
emergency data communications address for accessing remote
emergency data, the telecommunications network 220 may communicate
the emergency data communications address with the emergency
communications signal 242 or, alternatively, may access the
emergency data communications address to push the remotely stored
emergency data to the emergency communications address. According
to the embodiments shown in FIG. 2, if the emergency communications
address is an address of the data network 210, then the
telecommunications network 220 may access the database 215 to
retrieve and/or bundle the emergency data 226 for more direct
communication of the emergency data 226 from the telecommunications
network 220 to the emergency communications address shown as the
PSAP 250. Similarly, the telecommunications network 220 may access
the database 235 of server 230 to retrieve and/or bundle the
emergency data 226 for more direct communication to PSAP 250. If,
however, the emergency data 226 is locally stored on database 116
of the VoIP communications device 100, then the emergency data is
communicated from the VoIP communications device 100 to the
telecommunications network 220. Some of the emergency data may be
stored on the database 116 of the VoIP communications device and
some of the emergency data may be remotely stored.
[0037] Because the VoIP communications device 100 of FIG. 2
operates in a wireless environment, the VoIP communications device
100 may originate a communications signal from any location having
access to a communications network. For example, the user may
initiate a communications signal from the VoIP communications
device 100 in one location, but then, as the user moves about (or
if the VoIP communications device 100 is moved by another means)
during a communications connection, the location of the VoIP
communications device 100 changes. An advantage of this invention
is to pinpoint location co-ordinates and communicate these
co-ordinates to the emergency service personnel responding to the
emergency communications. According to an embodiment, the Emergency
Communications Module 110 refreshes the location co-ordinates
according to a selected time interval (such as, for example, at
least every fifteen (15) seconds) and communicates the updated
location co-ordinates with the emergency communications signal 242.
While the initial location co-ordinates are used by the
telecommunications network 220 to select the call center of PSAP
250 having a proximate geographic location (i.e., the service area
of call center of PSAP 250 is matched to the location co-ordinates
initially transmitted with the emergency communications signal
242), the updated location co-ordinates are communicated to PSAP
250, and if helpful, PSAP 250 may communicate these updated
co-ordinates to the responding emergency personnel. An example
might be when the user of VoIP communications device 100 calls
"9-1-1" from a burning building to request help. The user may
initiate the emergency communications signal 242 from a third floor
of the building, and in an attempt to exit the building, the user
may change his location to another floor. If the emergency response
personnel try to locate the user, these updated co-ordinates may
provide more precise information on the user's proximate location
(if the user still has the VoIP communications device 100).
[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates an emergency communications system 300
similar to the emergency communications system 200 of FIG. 2;
however, the emergency communications system 300 further includes
personal computer 310 connected with the data network 210. The
personal computer 310 offers a convenient interface for the user to
establish the emergency communications profile of the emergency
communications module 110 operating on VoIP communications device
100. Still further, the personal computer 310 may have an
associated Internet Protocol (IP) emergency data communications
address of emergency data 226 that may be accessed and retrieved
over the communications connection with the data network 210 for
communication with the emergency communications signal. Still
further, the personal computer 310 may originate a request for
emergency services and communicate the emergency communications
signal to the data network 210 for routing and/or other processing
such as to the telecommunications network 220 for selection and
communication to the PSAP 250.
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates another emergency communications system
400 similar to the emergency communications system 200 of FIG. 2;
however, emergency communications system 400 further includes
another communications device capable of radio frequency
communications 402 (also referred to herein as a "proximate RF
communications device") and a reconfigurable digital converter and
digital channellizer processing center 410 (also referred to as a
"RDC/DCO"). FIG. 4, illustrates the VoIP communications device 100
communicating the emergency communication signal 242 to (1) the
RDC/DCO 410 that includes a reconfigurable broadband digital
up-converter and digital down-converter to/from the frontend RF
radio or RF/IF radio, and the initial digital channellization
from/to the original radio frequency channels by different
technologies and a communications switching equipment (or alternate
communication means) to communicate the communications signals
from/to the RDC/DCO with the voice/data switch 240 for
communications with the telecommunications network 220 and/or the
data network 210; (2) the proximate RF communications device 402
(which may similarly communicate with the RDC/DCO 410), and (3) the
voice/data switch 240 for communication to the telecommunications
network 220 and/or the data communications network 210. According
to these exemplary embodiments, the emergency data 226 may be
stored in the database 116 of VoIP communications device 100, in
the database of the data network 210, in the database of the
telecommunications network 220, and/or in the database 235 of
remote server 230. That is, for example, the switch 240 may detect
and decode the emergency communications signal 242 to determine
that the emergency communications address(es) is a
telecommunications address (e.g., a phone number) and that the
emergency data 226 is communicated with the emergency
communications signal 242 or is accessible by the
telecommunications network 220 to the database 235 of the remote
server (or, alternatively, to a database (not shown) of the
telecommunications network 220). Thus, the voice/data switch 240
does not communicate the emergency communications signal 242 to the
data network 210. Similar embodiments exist if the emergency
communications address and/or the emergency data communications
address are not communications addresses of the telecommunications
network 220. That is, if the voice/data switch 240 detected and
decoded the emergency communications signal 242 to identify the
emergency communication address and/or the emergency data
communications address having only an electronic communications
address(es) (e.g., a web-based address, an email, an IP address, an
address associated with database 235 of remote server 230, and so
on), and not a telecommunications address, then the switch 240 may
route the emergency communications signal 242 to the data network
210 and may not communicate with the telecommunications network
220.
[0040] In further exemplary embodiments, VoIP communications device
100 may initiate an RF emergency communications signal to the
proximate RF communications device 402 for processing to the
RDC/CDO 410. That is, the emergency communications signal may be
initially piggy-backed onto another RF communications device 402
for transmission to the emergency communications address (shown as
reference numerals 250 and 310). Alternatively, the VoIP
communications device 100 may initiate the RF emergency
communications signal directly to the RDC/DCO 410 as described
further herein. And, still further, the proximate RF communications
device 402 may be added as a third party to an ongoing emergency
communications connection such as to add in an emergency
responder.
[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates an emergency communications system 500
similar to the emergency communications system 400 of FIG. 4;
however, emergency communications system 400 illustrates various
alternate communication devices 510 (each having the emergency
communications module 110 (not shown)) for communicating the
emergency communications signal 242 to the proximate RF
communications device 402, RDC/DCO 410, and voice/data switch 240
for communication to the telecommunications network 220 and/or the
data communications network 210. The various alternate
communication devices 510 include a digital music device (DMD) 511,
a personal digital assistant 512, a programmable phone 513, a
computer system 514, a digital recording device (DRD) 515, an
interactive pager 516, a wireless communications device 517, an
interactive television 518, and communications device utilizing a
digital signal processor (DSP) 519 when such communications device
can benefit by the bandwidth management methods described herein.
The alternate communications devices 510 may also include watches,
radios, vehicle electronics, clocks, printers, gateways, and other
apparatuses and systems. As those of ordinary skill in the art
understand, the alternate communications device 510 (or,
alternatively, RDC/DCO 410 and/or the communications networks 210,
220) has the intelligence for configuring and formatting the
emergency communications signal 242. For example, if the alternate
communications device 510 uses the Wireless Application Protocol
(WAP) technique, then the emergency communications signal is
formatted using the Wireless Mark-up Language (WML) and configured
according to standards known in the art. The Wireless Mark-up
Language (WML) and the WAP technique are known and will not be
further described. This is a description of a solution for a
specific wireless protocol, such as WAP. This solution may be
clearly extended to other wireless protocol, such as i-mode,
VoiceXML (Voice eXtensible Markup Language), Dual Tone
Multi-Frequency (DTMF), and other signaling means.
[0042] The term "processing," as used herein, encompasses every
event from the time the user inputs or selects a communications
address (including an emergency communications address) with the
VoIP communications device 100 (or alternate communications devices
510) to the termination of the communication with the emergency
communications address and/or the proximate RF communications
device 402. "Processing" of the emergency communications signal 242
includes routing a voice path and signaling setup and intelligence
(e.g., Local Number Portability queries, queries to retrieve
Calling Name/Number information, AIN queries, IP queries, standard
signaling messages to determine call routing paths, and others).
The term "processing" also includes monitoring an established
connection between the VoIP communications device 100 and the
emergency communications address (e.g., the PSAP 250 shown in FIGS.
2-5) for possible DTMF entry, switch hook flash, other events that
indicate a party has requested something, and delivery of emergency
data. "Processing," may further encompass billing activities and
measurements at a switch or other network element.
[0043] FIGS. 6-7 are flowcharts showing processes of providing
emergency communications according to exemplary embodiments. A GPS
and emergency communications module equipped, open-air VoIP
communications device receives a communications address [block
600]. If the communications address does not match an emergency
communications address [block 610], then the emergency
communications module is not activated [block 601]. If the
communications address does match an emergency communications
address [block 610], then the emergency communications module is
activated and receives GPS location co-ordinates (or alternate
location identifiers) and associates emergency data [block 620].
The emergency communications module may then transmits an emergency
communications signal. The emergency communications signal may be
transmitted to the voice/data communications switch (also referred
to as "communications switch") [block 632]. Alternatively, an
RF-based emergency communications signal may be communicated to a
communications processing office (RDC/DCO) to reconfigure the RF
signal to a broadband digital signal and set the initial digital
channellization [block 634]. The RDC/DCO then transmits the
emergency communications signal to the communications switch [block
636]. Thereafter, the switch detects and decodes the emergency
communications signal including location co-ordinates, a
communication signal, an emergency service communication address,
and/or associated emergency data [block 640]. If emergency data is
not remotely located [block 650] then the communications switch
routes emergency communications to the telecommunications network
[block 655]. The telecommunications network then uses the location
co-ordinates, emergency service communications address, and/or the
emergency data to route emergency communications to the PSAP [block
690]. The telecommunications network connects emergency
communications to the matched PSAP [block 695]. If the associated
emergency data is remotely located [block 650], then the
communications switch routes emergency communications with a
request for associated emergency data to the data communications
network and/or the remote database [block 660]. Then the associated
emergency data is retrieved from the data communications network
and/or the remote database [block 670]. The data communications
network then routes emergency communications with associated
emergency data to the telecommunications network or to the
communications switch [block 680]. The telecommunications network
uses location co-ordinates, emergency service communications
address, and/or emergency data to route emergency communications to
the PSAP [block 690]. The telecommunications network then connects
emergency communications to the matched PSAP [block 695].
[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of another method for
providing emergency communications according to exemplary
embodiments. As described above with reference to FIG. 7, a GPS and
emergency communications module equipped, open-air VoIP
communications device receives a communications address [block
600]. If the communications address does not match an emergency
communications address [block 610], then the emergency
communications module is not activated [block 601]. If the
communications address does match an emergency communications
address [block 610], then the emergency communications module is
activated and receives GPS location co-ordinates (or alternate
location identifiers) and associates emergency data [block 620].
The emergency communications module may then transmits an emergency
communications signal. The emergency communications signal may be
transmitted to the voice/data communications switch (also referred
to as "communications switch") [block 632]. Alternatively, an
RF-based emergency communications signal may be communicated to a
communications processing office (RDC/DCO) to reconfigure the RF
signal to a broadband digital signal and set the initial digital
channellization [block 634]. The RDC/DCO then transmits the
emergency communications signal to the communications switch [block
636]. If the emergency data is not remotely located [block 650]
then the communications switch routes emergency communications to
the telecommunications network [block 755]. The telecommunications
network then uses the location co-ordinates, emergency service
communications address, and/or the emergency data to route
emergency communications to the PSAP [block 790]. The
telecommunications network connects emergency communications to the
matched PSAP [block 795]. If the associated emergency data is
remotely located [block 650] then the communications switch routes
emergency communications with a request for associated emergency
data to telecommunications network [block 760]. Then the
telecommunications network accesses a remote database and retrieves
associated emergency data [block 770]. The telecommunications
network uses location co-ordinates, emergency service
communications address, and/or emergency data to route emergency
communications to the PSAP [block 790]. The telecommunications
network then connects emergency communications to the matched PSAP
[block 795].
[0045] The emergency communications module (shown as reference
numeral 110 in FIGS. 1-5) may be physically embodied on or in a
computer-readable medium. This computer-readable medium may include
CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, memory card, and
large-capacity disk (such as IOMEGA.RTM., ZIP.RTM., JAZZ.RTM., and
other large-capacity memory products (IOMEGA.RTM., ZIP.RTM., and
JAZZ.RTM. are registered trademarks of Iomega Corporation, 1821 W.
Iomega Way, Roy, Utah 84067, 801.332.1000, www.iomega.com). This
computer-readable medium, or media, could be distributed to
end-users, licensees, and assignees. These types of
computer-readable media, and other types not mention here but
considered within the scope of the embodiments, allow the presence
detection application to be easily disseminated.
[0046] The emergency communications module may be physically
embodied on or in any addressable (e.g., HTTP, I.E.E.E. 802.11,
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)) wireless device capable of
presenting an IP address. Examples could include a computer, a
wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet Protocol
phone, or a wireless pager.
[0047] While this invention has been described with respect to
various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and
unskilled in the art will recognize this invention is not so
limited. Other variations, modifications, and alternative
embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of this invention.
* * * * *
References